Category: Wildlife and Nature

The Friends of Wakulla Springs State Park is presenting the next installment of their “For the Springs” Virtual Speaker and Performance Series on Thursday, December 10 beginning at 7 p.m. Join author and avid naturalist, Doug Alderson, for an entertaining look at how our most celebrated reptile has inspired numerous pieces of art, stories, tourism initiatives, and even comedy throughout our state.

To register for this one-of-a-kind, virtual event, please click here.

Courtesy of the Friends of Wakulla Springs State Park, the “Gator Cam” brings you a unique view of Wakulla Springs waterway and native wildlife. Check out the live footage!

From white-tailed deer to alligators and shorebirds to bald eagles, the rivers, lakes, beaches, trails, and natural areas of Wakulla County are havens for wildlife watching. Check out some of the prime spots for viewing various species so you can make the most of your trip.

Read More about Wakulla Wildlife Watching

In Wakulla County, this is the ideal time to reflect on how thankful we are for the remarkable natural ecosystems in the area that are so important to our way of life.

Go birdwatching in an ecologically diverse environment

If your idea of communing with nature is grabbing a pair of binoculars and a birding book and scouring the skies for interesting avian species, then Wakulla County is the perfect place for you to enjoy a weekend of birdwatching. In areas such as the beautiful St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge and the lush Ochlockonee River State Park, you can view numerous different species of birds throughout the county in their natural environments and migratory routes.

One of the reasons why birdwatching opportunities abound in this region is because of the diversity of ecological habitats that coexist in Wakulla County. Shorebirds are drawn to the beaches of the Gulf of Mexico, waterfowl gather in the numerous marshes and freshwater sources, and rare woodpeckers make their home in dense evergreen forests—and that’s only scratching the surface!

Take in the beauty of your surroundings on a hike

When you crave to feel closer to nature, hiking truly is one of the best and most satisfying activities. It allows you to feel the changes of the ground beneath your feet, touch the trees with your hands, and experience how far away industrialized civilization can feel just by going a little bit off the beaten path. When you visit Wakulla County, you can hike until your heart’s content on everything from small nature trails to long backcountry excursions. With areas such as the Apalachicola National Forest, Wakulla Springs State Park, and Fort San Marcos de Apalache Historic State Park, you can explore the wonderful wilderness of the Florida panhandle on foot and foster a real appreciation for the role that nature has played in shaping the character of this region.

Ride your bike through beautiful nature trails and scenic roads

Clear blue skies pass above, tall marsh grasses sway in the gentle breeze, and majestic trees from centuries past line the trails; is there any better scenery for an invigorating bike ride? Come to take a ride down dedicated trails like the Tallahassee to St. Marks Historic Railroad State Trail, the Ochlockonee Bay Bike Trail, or sections of the Florida National Scenic Trail to breeze by some of the most beautiful natural habitats in Wakulla County.

In order to fully grasp the beauty of our natural environment and understand why it is so important to Wakulla County, you have to see it for yourself. Now is the time to start planning your stay at Wakulla County, where you can immerse yourself in nature and be thankful for the lands and waters that are open and available to us.

There’s nothing like a personal encounter with nature to remind us that we should be thankful for all that our planet has given us. The amazing diversity of life throughout Wakulla County is an integral part of this area, and there are many places where you can get a first-hand view of these species.

Looking to the skies

Birdwatchers and ornithology enthusiasts will find themselves in paradise when they come to Wakulla County. Because of the diversity of our natural environment, including an abundance of rivers, lakes, coastline, and forests, a wide array of different avian species call our county home. Some of them live in Wakulla County throughout the year, and others can be spotted during specific seasons as a part of their migration patterns.

One of the premier places for bird watching and photography in the county is the stunning St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge is home to the north-south migratory bird flyway, so you’re likely to catch a variety of different species as they make way to their summer or winter homes. The refuge is also ground zero for the monarch butterfly migration in early autumn, and you might catch majestic eagles and osprey nesting in the trees throughout the spring.

A wonderland of marine life

Waterways are central to the environment of Wakulla County, and the marine species that call this area home are a reflection of the importance that the lakes, rivers, springs, and ocean have to these lands. Wakulla Springs State Park is one of the most notable areas for marine species viewing, as the park offers glass-bottom riverboat cruises throughout the day when the water clarity is high. You may also spot a manatee swimming through the waters of the park between October and January.

The Gulf Specimen Marine Lab in Panacea is also a place where you and your children can interact with aquatic animals and learn about their role in the ecosystem as well. This lab features numerous touch tanks, and showcases many species that are unique to the North Florida coast.

An incredible forest ecosystem

You might not want to spend all of your time near the water, however, because there is a remarkable number of land animal species that live throughout many areas of Wakulla County as well. This region is home to some dense woodland areas, where you might catch a glimpse of animals such as white-tailed deer, feral hogs, and bobcats.

Take some time to explore the massive Apalachicola National Forest, where you are permitted to hike anywhere within. If you’re lucky in the fall, you just might spot a wild turkey roaming the forest floor.

This November, enjoy the beauty of nature in Wakulla County. As the Florida heat begins to cool off, now is the perfect time to appreciate and be thankful for the outdoors. Stay with us awhile and enjoy restful nights away from the big city or bright lights.

In a guest post by Don Morrow, he shares his findings of the first St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge Tour of the season. It’s time to get down to St. Marks and go birding.

The first St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge tours of the season took place on a sultry Fall day. This is a transitional time; those migrants that pass completely through our area are finishing up, while the winter resident species are coming in. I had five duck species today and eight this week. I’ve had Raccoon, Deer, Coyotes (calling) and a Black Bear this week.

Adding in some early morning recreational birding today I logged 71 species. Some highlights of the day were:

• Double Dikes
• King Rail & Sora (calling predawn to the North)
• Large cloud of Tree Swallows in the early morning
• Vermillion Flycatcher (male hanging in the area for the winter)
• Stony Bayou I
• Plovers (Black-bellied and Semipalmated)
• Greater Yellowlegs
• Willet
• Ruddy Turnstone
• Sandpipers (Western & Least)
• Dunlin
• SB Dowitcher
• Terns (Caspian & Forster’s)
• Stony Bayou II
• Wood Duck
• Northern Pintail
• Blue-winged Teal
• Northern Shoveler
• American Wigeon
• Merlin

We had a female Bobolink along the levee separating Mounds Pool I and III. Over the last few days I’ve been getting Catbirds, Phoebes, Marsh & House Wrens, Swamp & Song Sparrows along the levee edges. I’ve had Kestrel and Peregrine Falcons and also lots of cool butterflies.

The temperature is about to decrease and bird diversity at the refuge is about to increase. The winds following the front should bring down other ducks, Yellow-rumped Warblers, RC Kinglets and lots of other avian goodies. We’re Americans. This is your refuge. As soon as the front passes, get down to St. Marks and go birding.

Good Birding

-Don Morrow